What are the risk factors that can influence fibroid growth?
The tendency to form fibroids appears to be largely inherited. However, the degree to which fibroids cause symptoms appears to be determined by both genetic and hormonal factors. Anything that increases the level of estrogen in a womans system may cause fibroids to be more bothersome or to grow faster or larger. Some of the things that increase estrogen levels are the onset of menstruation before the age of 12 (which prolongs the time a woman is subject to estrogen), being overweight, never being pregnant, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle. – Robert Worthington-Kirsch, M.D.
